Richard Branson On Climate Change After Hurricanes: 'This Is The Start Of Things To Come'
- 7 years ago
Richard Branson has declared that “climate change is real” after surviving Hurricane Irma and witnessing the devastation caused by subsequent storms.
Richard Branson has declared that “climate change is real” after surviving Hurricane Irma inside the wine cellar of his British Virgin Islands home and witnessing the devastation caused by subsequent storms.
During an appearance on CNN Tuesday, the Virgin Group founder was asked about climate change and the severe weather events, and he said, “...you can never be 100% sure about links, but scientists have said the storms are going to get more and more and more intense and more and more often."
“We've had four storms within a month, all far greater than that have ever, ever, ever happened in history," he added. "And I think that, sadly, this is the start of things to come.”
“Look, climate change is real. Ninety-nine percent of scientists know it's real," Branson eventually said. "The whole world knows it's real except for maybe one person in the White House.”
President Trump has publicly expressed skepticism over climate change.
"We’ve had bigger storms than this," Trump said when he was asked about his position on the issue in light of the damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.
Meanwhile, Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency chief, Scott Pruitt, dismissed talk about climate change, saying, “To have any kind of focus on the cause and effect of the storm versus helping people, or actually facing the effect of the storm, is misplaced.”
While politicians’ public views about the matter seem largely split along partisan lines, the Houston Chronicle points out that a lack of scientific consensus linking climate change with hurricanes has further complicated the matter.
Nevertheless, Branson remains convinced that action is needed; he tweeted Tuesday, “Hurricanes left me even angrier at climate change deniers & motivated to help unite the world behind climate action.”
He has already pledged to help rebuild the British Virgin Islands and is advocating for the adoption of clean energy practices.
Richard Branson has declared that “climate change is real” after surviving Hurricane Irma inside the wine cellar of his British Virgin Islands home and witnessing the devastation caused by subsequent storms.
During an appearance on CNN Tuesday, the Virgin Group founder was asked about climate change and the severe weather events, and he said, “...you can never be 100% sure about links, but scientists have said the storms are going to get more and more and more intense and more and more often."
“We've had four storms within a month, all far greater than that have ever, ever, ever happened in history," he added. "And I think that, sadly, this is the start of things to come.”
“Look, climate change is real. Ninety-nine percent of scientists know it's real," Branson eventually said. "The whole world knows it's real except for maybe one person in the White House.”
President Trump has publicly expressed skepticism over climate change.
"We’ve had bigger storms than this," Trump said when he was asked about his position on the issue in light of the damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.
Meanwhile, Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency chief, Scott Pruitt, dismissed talk about climate change, saying, “To have any kind of focus on the cause and effect of the storm versus helping people, or actually facing the effect of the storm, is misplaced.”
While politicians’ public views about the matter seem largely split along partisan lines, the Houston Chronicle points out that a lack of scientific consensus linking climate change with hurricanes has further complicated the matter.
Nevertheless, Branson remains convinced that action is needed; he tweeted Tuesday, “Hurricanes left me even angrier at climate change deniers & motivated to help unite the world behind climate action.”
He has already pledged to help rebuild the British Virgin Islands and is advocating for the adoption of clean energy practices.